Rent cottages in the vibrant county Essex
As one of England's most culturally varied counties, Essex has lots to offer no matter where your interests lie. There are plenty of homes to rent in bigger towns such as Chelmsford and Colchester for a relaxing break with shops and restaurants only a short walk away, or if you're more in the mood to get outdoors, book a BnB or even camp in the smaller villages and coastal towns of Essex.
When to go to Essex?
Like the rest of the UK, Essex's weather is generally mild but not particularly warm all year round. The good news is that most of the attractions here are not weather-dependent at all, so you can visit Essex any time of year and have a wonderful experience.
How to get to Essex?
Essex is really well-connected, given its close proximity to London. There are several airports in and around London, including Gatwick, Heathrow, Southend and Stansted, all of which see thousands of international flights arrive and depart every day with a huge variety of airlines. From the rest of the UK, there are trains and coaches from all major cities to London and sometimes cities within Essex. From a holiday apartment in London, it is really quick and easy to drive or get a train into Essex, as the county can be reached in only one hour by road or rail.
Why not also visit Essex while your seaside break? The county is closer to the shore than you might expect, as you can enjoy Essex's attractions in only half an hour from your beach-front holiday home in Southend-on-Sea. Some holiday rentals in Suffolk are also within an hours drive of Essex, meaning you can road trip along the eastern English coast, and enjoy all the striking North Sea scenery.
Where to stay in Essex?
Holiday park
Essex has several holiday parks and campsites that allow you explore the county's beautiful countryside. Here you can camp or stay in a caravan, which is a great option for cheaper accommodation as well as a novel experience. Many of these holiday parks are by the coast, offering easy access to the seaside in the summer time. Wherever they're located, they all have lots of activities and facilities for a family holiday: crazy golf, play areas and swimming pools, as well as restaurants, bars and supermarkets. Booking one of the many apartments in Southend-on-Sea is a great option if this is the excitement you seek, as it has Adventure Island, an adventure park with over 60 rides and attractions to choose from. This is the perfect choice if you want to stay somewhere with everything Essex has to offer on your doorstep.
Saffron Walden
This is one of Essex's most beautiful market towns. Nearby to the beautiful Jacobean mansion of Audley End, Saffron Walden is the perfect choice for a cultural mini-break. Book a cottage or a cosy apartment on Airbnb to have a homely experience here. With beautiful medieval buildings, museums and easy access to Audley End and Cambridge, Saffron Walden is a great base for holidaymakers interested in history.
Colchester
One of Essex's largest towns, Colchester was originally built by the Romans and therefore has lots of interesting historical sights, most notably Roman ruins and the Norman castle. Book a hotel in Colchester to be close to all its major sights: as well as the historical points of interest, there is plenty for the more artistic tourist. Make sure you see the Beth Chatto Gardens, a beautiful natural space, as well as the Firstsite contemporary art gallery.
Things to do in Essex
Colchester Zoo
Colchester Zoo is one of Europe's finest zoos, with 60 acres of land and more than 270 species of animals. It is home to several endangered animals that you will struggle to find anywhere else! The zoo takes part in conservation and research work across the world to support its work and the wildlife. They offer several special activities and exhibits for children, and you can even have your birthday party here. This zoo is the perfect day out for a young family, with loads of see, do and learn.
Audley End
Audley End is widely recognised as one of England's finest Jacobean houses. Today, it is open to the public as an English Heritage site. It boasts beautiful grounds and gardens as well as a stunning house with gorgeous architecture and interior design. The house contains paintings by Canaletto and Cipriani among others. There are always fun activities going on here for families and children, particularly in the school holidays, meaning that Audley End is a really family-friendly way to inject some culture into your holiday in Essex.
Harlow Sculpture Town
Built as a New Town more than 50 years ago, Harlow's most interesting feature is its sculptures. There is a trail through the town of several important and beautiful sculptures by a range of significant British artists, including Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Ralph Brown. This makes for a really interesting free day out if you wander around the town. If you'd like a more formal introduction to the town's impressive art collection, there are monthly tours available and you can even request a tailored tour.